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hpstrangelove's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook review. Narrator: Antony Ferguson
Interesting take on Jack the Ripper and the boys' involvement with the case.
Interesting take on Jack the Ripper and the boys' involvement with the case.
jenniekathleen's review
5.0
Great read
This series, as always , is engaging, immensely readable , and exciting. This latest installment takes on the Ripper killings and brings them to a satisfying conclusion.
This series, as always , is engaging, immensely readable , and exciting. This latest installment takes on the Ripper killings and brings them to a satisfying conclusion.
dhilderbrand's review against another edition
3.0
I hadn't read any of this series. I'm still not too sure... I feel like it was a poor man's Sherlock Holmes and Watson which is really insulting, and I don't mean it to be. It really wasn't a bad version just another version, I guess. Also, this story is about Jack the Ripper - NOT a topic I enjoy so probably shouldn't have chosen it.
Not bad overall...
Not bad overall...
merlin_reads's review against another edition
2.0
I originally picked this book up because I absolutely am fascinated by this London time period and of course, with Jack the Ripper. I mean, come on, it's one of the most talked about unsolved case of all time only rival to possibly the Zodiac killer. I was hoping for a fast paced mystery soaked in atmosphere and character. What I got instead was pretty much just reading about a boys club with some sleuthing happening.
Despite this being in the middle of a series, I was able to follow along quite well. From what I gathered, each book follows a separate case so the only thing I have missed out on was the little nuances and small histories from the characters. But in all honesty, the characters weren't interesting enough for me to really be bothered.
What I liked about it was that the author did seem to do his research on the era, victims, and even the suspects of the case. But what I didn't like was how much of the book was just spent talking about how great they were at what they did while actually doing nothing. It felt very much like the poor man's Holmes & Watson. I don't think I care to read anything else from this series.
Despite this being in the middle of a series, I was able to follow along quite well. From what I gathered, each book follows a separate case so the only thing I have missed out on was the little nuances and small histories from the characters. But in all honesty, the characters weren't interesting enough for me to really be bothered.
What I liked about it was that the author did seem to do his research on the era, victims, and even the suspects of the case. But what I didn't like was how much of the book was just spent talking about how great they were at what they did while actually doing nothing. It felt very much like the poor man's Holmes & Watson. I don't think I care to read anything else from this series.
lgiegerich's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it, like all in this series, but I feel like following the Ripper case slowed it down & deprived it of the series' usual joy. I did like the immersion in Whitechapel, but felt like it grew repetitive as it plodded on.
chewdigestbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I love Barker & Llewelyn, I really do. Yet when they or really their author, Will Thomas, take on the Ripper and chooses one of the actual suspects to nab, I have to put my foot down. As much as I enjoyed reading about their ways of going about the hunt and their interactions with Scotland Yard during the investigation, when anyone chooses their favorite Ripper suspect and points a finger toward him, in fiction or non-fiction, I cry foul.
1. It is like jumping on the cash cow bandwagon. Every book, again fiction or non-fiction, that does so is guaranteed more press and sales whether they have a crackpot reasoning or even a sensible one.
2. There is not enough evidence anymore to safely identify the actual ripper and anyone doing so is total conjecture and possibly dangerous.
And in the case of Barker & Llewelyn...
3. The characters are known to and should be celebrated for their attitude towards diversity and for them to possibly against that (Will leave out spoilers) disputes what we've come to know about them in the earlier 6 books.
That being said, I love the characters, we get to learn a bit more about them both and it won't stop me from reading the rest of the series.
I may go on a bit of a Ripper tirade every once in a while...ok, every time there is a book about him. I can't really blame those that do take him on, it's like catnip. Perhaps that is one of my major issues, it's too easy and if I read or hear of one more book that says that THEY have if figured out once and for all, I may puke.
1. It is like jumping on the cash cow bandwagon. Every book, again fiction or non-fiction, that does so is guaranteed more press and sales whether they have a crackpot reasoning or even a sensible one.
2. There is not enough evidence anymore to safely identify the actual ripper and anyone doing so is total conjecture and possibly dangerous.
And in the case of Barker & Llewelyn...
3. The characters are known to and should be celebrated for their attitude towards diversity and for them to possibly against that (Will leave out spoilers) disputes what we've come to know about them in the earlier 6 books.
That being said, I love the characters, we get to learn a bit more about them both and it won't stop me from reading the rest of the series.
I may go on a bit of a Ripper tirade every once in a while...ok, every time there is a book about him. I can't really blame those that do take him on, it's like catnip. Perhaps that is one of my major issues, it's too easy and if I read or hear of one more book that says that THEY have if figured out once and for all, I may puke.
pollyno9's review against another edition
2.0
I suppose it was inevitable that Barker and Llewellyn hunt for Jack the Ripper. Not the best in the series, but nothing to keep me from the next one.
melanhoely's review against another edition
3.0
The 7th installment to the Barker and Llewellyn series is the classic case of Jack the Ripper. I didn't really read the synopsis of these books after the first one, I like going in blind. So I had no idea this was about the said serial killer until I found familiar clues.
The first parts of the book bore me out, then it got interesting when they were asked to work for Scotland Yard. I liked that very much.
I always love how thorough Barker is in investigating a case, going to such lengths as living in the same neighborhood.
I like the bit with the Duke and his tutor being homosexuals. I love Barker's stance on the matter and especially the statement gw said on Sodom and Gomorrah, just as I thought I couldn't love this man any more. I was sad to read the Prince died possibly of an STD, and to find out Stephen killed himself shortly after. The horrors the society imposes on anyone who is slightly different from them. I wish people could just be allowed to be themselves.
What I observed in this books though was that it was so. unnecessarily. long. There were more than a couple instances where Thomas was just repeating himself over and over again but with different words and was such a bore to read. One example was his account on Catherine Eddowes' murder, postmortem, and funeral. A couple of paragraphs were redundant.
Another thing that did not sit very well with me was how Rebecca was dragged back into this book out of nowhere. For the past 5-6 books prior, Thomas has barely said anythimg about her and was busy falling head over heels on a new beautiful woman entagled with the case. Not that I don't like Rebecca. Out of every woman Thomas has ever been linked to, she was the one I saw as being the best match for him. Although I find it very odd how they fell in love with each other with just a couple of eye locks and a 5 minute discussion that was yeaaars ago. But okay. Also obviously we have to kill the husband. Thomas is finally going to settle down woth someone. Hallelujah!
I loved the part where they actually get into action though around the end. I wish we see Barker and Llewellyn get more recognition for having arrested the man that caused so much fear to the people of London for months but it was just as expected that they didn't.
Is Thomas now officially a partner and not an assistant? I'm excited to know on the next book!
The first parts of the book bore me out, then it got interesting when they were asked to work for Scotland Yard. I liked that very much.
I always love how thorough Barker is in investigating a case, going to such lengths as living in the same neighborhood.
I like the bit with the Duke and his tutor being homosexuals. I love Barker's stance on the matter and especially the statement gw said on Sodom and Gomorrah, just as I thought I couldn't love this man any more. I was sad to read the Prince died possibly of an STD, and to find out Stephen killed himself shortly after. The horrors the society imposes on anyone who is slightly different from them. I wish people could just be allowed to be themselves.
What I observed in this books though was that it was so. unnecessarily. long. There were more than a couple instances where Thomas was just repeating himself over and over again but with different words and was such a bore to read. One example was his account on Catherine Eddowes' murder, postmortem, and funeral. A couple of paragraphs were redundant.
Another thing that did not sit very well with me was how Rebecca was dragged back into this book out of nowhere. For the past 5-6 books prior, Thomas has barely said anythimg about her and was busy falling head over heels on a new beautiful woman entagled with the case. Not that I don't like Rebecca. Out of every woman Thomas has ever been linked to, she was the one I saw as being the best match for him. Although I find it very odd how they fell in love with each other with just a couple of eye locks and a 5 minute discussion that was yeaaars ago. But okay. Also obviously we have to kill the husband. Thomas is finally going to settle down woth someone. Hallelujah!
I loved the part where they actually get into action though around the end. I wish we see Barker and Llewellyn get more recognition for having arrested the man that caused so much fear to the people of London for months but it was just as expected that they didn't.
Is Thomas now officially a partner and not an assistant? I'm excited to know on the next book!
mslaura's review against another edition
4.0
Now this is the gritty Victorian London I have come to know and love! Where I felt the previous book in this series lacked a strong sense of setting, I was thrilled to find myself immersed in the heart of 19th century Whitechapel with this one. Once again, the author seamlessly blends historical fact with literary invention to create an intriguing tale which kept me coming back for more. What is new with this one is that it is very much Llewelyn's story in a way that the others have not been, and it is interesting to see his character fully realized. I also found this one to contain some of the most beautiful writing I have read from this author, at the scene of Catherine Eddowes's burial. I'm so glad I read this one and looking forward to more in the series.
amalyndb's review
5.0
I hadn't previously read any of the Barker/Llewelyn novels, but this held my attention tightly. Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn are private enquiry agents. They are asked to temporarily suspend their agency and work for the Scotland Yard in trying to stop the Whitechapel Killer - or as we know him now, Jack the Ripper.
I liked this particular hunt of the killer, as Barker and Llewelyn move into rooms in Whitechapel. I had a much better feel for the geography with their nightly patrols than I have in past readings that deal with the area in that particular timeframe.
I liked this particular hunt of the killer, as Barker and Llewelyn move into rooms in Whitechapel. I had a much better feel for the geography with their nightly patrols than I have in past readings that deal with the area in that particular timeframe.